A Shape Major Barre Chords on Guitar (my best tricks and exercises)

🎸 In this lesson, we'll learn how to play the A Shape Major Barre Chords on the guitar. This barre chord can be challenging, but this tutorial will make it all easier for you! You'll learn my favorite fingering and all my best tricks, tips, and exercises! 👉 Free A Shape Barre Chords Guitar Course: justinguitar.com/modules/a-sh... #justinguitar #intermediateguitar #barrechords
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ► bit.ly/jgtr-sub 💙 I Appreciate Your Support. :)
💡 Play along with JustinGuitar Songs & Lessons App and unleash the musician in you! Over 1000 songs and the best resources to learn guitar right in your pocket. Try it out for free: go.onelink.me/3065804798/jgtryt
👉 Video Chapters
00:00 How to Learn
01:01 Common Challenge 1
01:25 Common Challenge 2
02:01 The Secret (& My Favorite Fingering)
02:35 How to Play A Shape Major Chords
06:24 Experiment!
07:15 Fingering Variation: Traditional Way
09:53 Fingering Variation: The Pinky Approach
12:21 Exercise 1
13:11 Exercise 2
14:17 Exercise 3
15:58 Real Songs Practice!
🎵 Learn for free at www.justinguitar.com 🎸 Track your progress, set a practice routine, get free downloads and additional resources, Community help, and much more! Just like private classes with me! :)
🚀 Looking to LEVEL UP your guitar skills? Check my Music Theory course - The best one on the web! bit.ly/jgtr-theory
👉 Check out www.justinguitar.com/products for my best-selling (paper!) songbooks, cool guitar-related t-shirts, and much more!
🎸 Shop my guitars & gear on Reverb reverb.grsm.io/fnusparj8yfh
🔥 Get my JamTracks and solo over professional backing tracks. bit.ly/jgtr-jams
💬 Get In Touch!
• Community bit.ly/jgtr-community
• Instagram bit.ly/jgtr-instagram
• Facebook bit.ly/jgtr-facebook
• Workshops bit.ly/jgtr-workshops

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

Justin is the real OG. I started learning guitar with his videos over 10 years ago, learned my first chords thanks to him. Now I'm here showing my support with a like👍for keeping it real

[@htjmartin]

Same here, back in the old day when KZbin was not paying anybody for uploading video. Justin did it anyway. Just sad to see that we all grew older over the time..

[@Nunzi3]

Same here ! Found Justin first then Marty Music helped me a lot , but Justin BY far the BEST on here!

[@OregonBreault]

Agreed. I’ve become a Justin loyalist over the past couple years. His approach simply resonates.

[@Nunzi3]

@@OregonBreault like his guitars 🎸! Justin is absolutely 💯 the best ! One of the First online 🎸 instructors.

[@Nunzi3]

Justin thank you 🙏 for helping me learn 🎸 🎶 to play over ten years ago ! You are the OG 🎸 teacher on here ! And your style of teaching is impeccable and helped me TREMENDOUSLY!! 🙏

[@MakJ8]

For anyone struggling to barre 3 strings with 1 finger, I couldn't do it at first it took me about a month to develop the strength, so keep trying.

[@justinguitar]

*Learn all A Shape Barre Chords - for free:* justinguitar.com/modules/a-shape-barre-chords

[@DanielDuran-jw9fm]

Have been tuning in your beginner lessons in the website lately, they're very helpful! Love the work you do man keep up the good work

[@chromedruidess2546]

This is the exact lesson I needed. Thank you!

[@ruddjamcustoms7193]

Great video content Justin, I really enjoy your videos 🤘🏼

Thank you Justin. Fantastic. Will set up a practice plan tonight 🙂

[@fahmi.hashim]

Thanks Justin! The best guitar teacher on KZbin! Superb content

[@Miles_ethan]

Justin thanks for this! Also just wanted to thank you for teaching me all I know i literally learned eveything I know from you, chord shapes, strumming patterns, scales and most importantly learning by ear. 3 years ago I was extremely intimatidated by the thought of getting good at guitar, but you made it fun easy and I could take it slow thanks to you. Now 3 years later Im playing my first live gig in 2 weeks, with our Beatles tribute band I put together, Im John! Thought youd like to know where I am in my guitar journey, thanks to you! I am extremely excited!

[@kalvheps5973]

An excellent lesson.

[@garyhull6689]

This is soooo good!

[@chantalnadeautoutsimplement]

Thank you very much

[@BlazertronGames]

Awesome that you're continuing the intermediate course remake!

[@olav-tr8th]

Beautiful music, u are definitely very talented. I pray that god will bless you and your ministry. Keep on going with the spirit leading u, and always rely on him.

[@fatehqizilbash516]

Thank you, Justin ! Up till now, I used the traditional approach explained half way through your lesson. But now I prefer barring the three strings with my third finger as explained at the beginning of your lesson. I will need to practice this for a few days to test clarity. Have a great day, take care please.

[@Alex_U]

LEGEND!

[@aaronlowry7699]

At last!! 🙏Legend 🔥🐐

[@EddieArafa]

You are a great man Justin, much love to you sir!

[@davidwalker41]

This was very helpful. I'm an older guy and way back when...during my first iteration of guitar learnin', I was taught to play the 1st string as well which I sometimes get right but just as often don't. So much easier if I just say in advance that I'm not gonna try to get that string to sound.

[@ashleyeatsmuffins]

Commenting after less than 3 minutes of the video... Thank you! Before watching, I felt lucky to have found such a long video that could cover so many potential pitfalls, and was also happy to see it that it only came out 6 months ago. I had always tried playing the higher 3 notes with index, middle and pinky fingers 😅 And actually find the "barre" using ring finger and then muting both e strings not too tricky at all! Looking forward to discover what I can learn from the rest of the video - thanks in advance. But just sharing my eureka moment now

[@EricDobsonTV]

First of his videos I’ve watched. Instant subscribe! This helped a lot.

[@justinguitar]

Thank you so much. Have you considered supporting Justin and his mission of ‘teaching the world to play’? If you are able, every donation enables him to make more lessons and content free to all. www.justinguitar.com/donate 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@marcosreal11]

Some good tips here even for experienced players. Bringing the knuckle up is excellent.

[@tyrotrainer765]

Yep! I just had a eureka moment when I tried that at the 5th and 3rd - perfect tone on every string, and I could get the A string no problem. I've got short fingers and had almost given up on the A barre. Justin for president!

[@jondonnelly]

I feel most comfortable with index / pinky up until about the 6th fret, then index / ring any higher.

[@meowthtroplaysvideogames]

I’ve been looking for a video like this for so long but i have a different problem, I want to avoid muting the thin string. Would you happen to have some sort of recommendation for this?

[@TomFule]

Anatomically weird third finger. Mine doesn’t bend backwards at all due to on old break which healed badly. Will have to try the alternatives.

[@CorneliusRandom]

Justin, do you have a video where you do a lesson on how to play "Norwegian Wood" by The Beetles? I know that there are probably many uploads out there that show you how to play it. However, due to your style, I would love to see an upload where you give a lesson on how to play it. Thanks!

[@justinguitar]

Here you are: www.justinguitar.com/songs/the-beatles-norwegian-wood-this-bird-has-flown-chords-tabs-guitar-lesson-sb-116 If in doubt, go to the main website. For song lessons check the other KZbin channel JustinGuitar Songs also. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@bobsteel1981]

Question: would it not be easier to use the free little finger to mute the thin E? It can rest on the bottom edge of the fretboard, just muting the thin E. That also leaves it free for the other chords.

[@justinguitar]

If it is easier for you then try it. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@amandacatherine793]

Thank you, Justin! My problem is 5:42. I can’t stop pulling my pinky down past the fretboard. It helps to generate the even pressure I need from my fourth digit. How bad is this bad habit? How can I stop this behavior, beyond ‘just don’t do it’? Thanks.

[@justinguitar]

Sometimes you can train your finger not to do a 'bad habitt hing' by physically using your other hand to reposition it, pulling it or pushing it to a better place. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@hasanabir115]

Hey Justin! I've been playing this chord for some time now but I've noticed that I need to put a lot more effort to make a C# sound clear compared chords that are both higher or lower. Any particular reason?

[@justinguitar]

No reason I can think of. Keep working on it. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher www.justinguitar.com

[@noodle845]

You missed out the Index and Middle finger grip for an A shape bar chord! That how I roll! My ring finer won't bend like your pinky, so had to find a work around

[@kylebarnett9234]

I've been playing for some time now and didn't Think I was doing anything wrong with my A barte chords until I realised it was impossible for my ring finger to bend in such a way that I play the B strong while muting the high E. I then considered it was actually more to do with my neck width and my strings being lowered rather than my fingers which I feel is important to consider. Problem is I love my guitar neck size as it is way easier for me to do appregios and when I do use an A shape barre chord, I find it easier with the three fingers.But I feel confident with dexterity. But that's the thing. With my guitar shape my index finger won't bend up enough to ring out the B string while muting the high E. I've just come accept it. I guess it all just comes down to what your style is etc.if there's a song I really need to do an A shape traditionally. il either have to raise my strings or find a different guitar.

[@stevenmcilwrath5371]

I don't understand why it's OK to mute the high e the first way he showed it but the first variation you do have to have to play it?

[@EricDobsonTV]

That third finger joint gets me. If a joint bends back while playing piano, something is going horribly wrong. Most of my fingers simply cannot bend like that after decades of piano playing. This is going to take a minute.

[@Artyadads]

Sweep picking?

[@nintendianajones64]

Going from young 2011 Justin to old 2023 Justin is shocking and sad. We're all so old now 😭

[@Reginaldesq]

Hey Justin that guitar with the "double dots" on the 7th fret might be confusing for beginners. In the close ups, I assumed it was the 12th fret. Nice guitar though.

[@justinguitar]

Thanks for the observation. Justin simply loves this guitar. You do need to watch and listen and take note (no pun intended) when Justin says the fret he is at and the note his finger(s) is playing. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@NeonBeeCat]

i can only do the traditional way on a classical guitar, too little space for my fingers lol

[@adrianhepton9362]

Is this possible if you have a small hand?

[@TheForce_Productions]

It's the same, you'll just play smaller chords.

[@justinguitar]

Yes, many small handed people play these. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@markusparkus2448]

Great advice Mate. Mini Bar every day of the week. It took me about a month to get 3 bending correctly without carpal tunnel kicking in but I already knew it worked because by then I'd got my A sorted out as 2,2,2. None of you barre your A. Justin, Andy, LJB, not even the great rhythm guru better known as Sam Wild barre their A's. Why on earth not. It's so much easier and so much quicker. 1,2,3 just doesn't work. 2,3,4 is better but 2 is still too high and so we try 3,2,4 which is cack handed but we do get used to it and it scales down the neck much better but in the end we see someone playing a B without even touching the strings and we learn the magic of the Mini Bar.

[@justinguitar]

Here's a lesson on a 1st finger barre A major chord: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/first-finger-a-chord-bg-1002 Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@jackpark1955]

Your lessons are all really good but why would you use a guitar without a dot on the 3rd fret? For somebody new on guitar we can use all the help there is to see where you are on a closeup of the neck.

[@justinguitar]

Thanks for your insight Jack. Justin simply loves the guitar! :) If you have reached these lessons and Justin is saying that his first finger is on a C note on the 5th string for the root of the chord, you should know he is at the third fret. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@thierry1026]

My fourth finger is so weak I can't even hold the right position in the air. Its completly dependant of the other fingers to apply any strenght. Seems much easier with my pinky finger..

[@iii3931]

do you have to play the guitar

[@omarethiop6778]

I’m slightly confused with the chord diagram as it relates to your finger position. Your first finger is starting out on the 3rd fret and the diagram shows that it should be the second fret.

[@justinsandercoe410]

Barre chords are all movable! Have you learned power chords and E Shapes as suggested?

[@omarethiop6778]

@@justinsandercoe410 Ah I see. I think I need to just stick to your lessons on your website. Those instagram reels catch my attention and send me in another trajectory haha! Love the lessons though. Thank you.

[@pgrutube]

So the A in first position has the high e string in it's chord. Why wouldn't we still always want the high e string in these ' A Barre chords ' down the neck?

[@justinguitar]

The point is that it is not necessary to have it. So if laying two barre fingers down where your 1st finger has to play 5th and 1st strings is too difficult it is no big deal. If you want that sound and can make the 1st finger barre by all means do it. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@pgrutube]

@@justinguitar I agree, it's not easy to barre the 1st finger from the A to the e, and somehow also play the 2nd, 3rd and 4th with either the pinky, ring and middle finger, or just the ring finger, in a barre, with a wicked hinged, backward knuckle (I've seen it. It looks painful). But I've always thought the ' A barre chords ' down the fret sound weak without the high e string note ringing out, like the A chord in 1st position. I do that barre just like you teach it here, but that chord, especially on an acoustic, sounds dull.

[@MadsHilde]

My ringfinger won’t flex, but my pinky can, but my pinkyjoint is too short to hold down all three strings, so what I have to do is, use my ringfinger on the D string and my pinky on G and B🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheTimeProphet]

I have always cheated on my A shaped barre chords. I hold my 3rd finger flat and try not to hit the E string. I really want to play it correctly, but I cannot bend my 3rd finger.

[@jeremyu8011]

Promo sm

[@CelticMedievalGuitar]

MMMM THIS NIGHT I WILL COME TO STEAL YOUR GUITARS

[@seancregomusic]

Interesting that you don't talk about the outlier players who can use a 1st finger barre and 3rd finger barre and still let the top note ring. That was the way I was (poorly) taught 30 years ago. It only seems recent that people have realized that most people can't get the 3rd finger barre to NOT mute the highest string. But even with my giant hands, I am able to not mute the top string with most guitars, even my Parker with a narrow neck.

[@421sap]

In Jesus' Name, Amen. God bless you ✝️✨

[@theresonlyone66]

Don't get me wrong, but damn, you've grown old. I've been following you for quite a long time now, and I can't help but say you have grown older but are still keeping up with teaching others. Well done you, and thank you very very much

[@justinsandercoe410]

Time is coming for you too dude. No escaping it ;)

[@CaolanMcGeown]

@@justinsandercoe410I thought you were Justin for a second and it caught me off guard how ominous that sounds

[@fryeguy9939]

Easily said for a guy with long skinny fingers... I have short stubby fingers and this doesn't work for me.. but thanks..

[@jackpark1955]

You say in your reply "That I should know what fret he is on". Whoever answered my question, (Richard), with this answer is out of touch with teaching beginners. We pull justin's videos up to learn how to play guitar, so when he uses a closeup on the neck and his guitar has no markings on the 3rd fret and a double marking on the 7th fret, that looks nothing like the guitar I'm playing. For a beginner it would be easier and faster to relate to what he's teaching if his guitar fretboard was similar to 95% of the guitars that I've seen. That's all I was trying to relate to Justin

[@justinguitar]

Jack, I'm sorry if you took my response badly. The context of what I was saying is that Justin has these lessons as Grade 5 so anyone viewing to learn how to play A-shape barre chords ought to know that a C-major chord will have its root note on the 5th string at fret 3. That is a fundamental bit of knowledge for any guitarist at this level. When Justin uses that acoustic guitar for video lessons in the earlier grades, for really new beginners, his close up shots show the nut and he talks about frets 1, 2 and 3. Yes, the fret markers on Justin's Froggy Bottom are not the same as the majority of guitars. Yours is the first comment in the five years he has used it for lessons that anyone has ever made stating that the fret markers are causing / could cause confusion. I am not saying you do not have a valid point about his fret markers being non-standard, it is just that nobody has mentioned it so it seems to be a non-problem. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@clairebloggs3131]

I'm confused. My teacher has me playing the high e string under the barre with the index finger.... Edit- I've watched a bit further, I do the first variation.